This is a sponsored post.
Summer is over but with fall foliage tours and apple/pumpkin picking season at its peak so are weekend road trips. My first mini road trip after getting my license was to Philly for their Cheesesteak Festival. Not only was I nervous about driving on the highway, bridges, and tunnels for the first time, I was transporting precious cargo: my oldest niece and nephews. If you plan on taking some road trips with kids this fall, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Check Your Car First
When driving, safety should be a priority. Before your trip schedule any necessary tune-up service and do basic maintenance on your car like checking wipers, lights, brakes, your battery, oil & transmission fluid levels. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids between 3 and 12 years old. Make sure they’re wearing a seatbelt and if they’re 12 or under, riding in the back seat. From infant to booster seats, cars.com gives a great list of how to perform proper seat checks in your vehicle.
Bring Essentials
Just like a beach day, theme park or vacation, essentials are needed for a road trip with kids to make the ride a bit more comfortable. Basic must-haves are:
- Food
- Drinks
- Diapers/milk
- Toys
- Books
- Spare batteries and chargers for toys & electronic devices
- Blankets and pillows
- Extra set of clothes
- First aid kit
- Prescription medicine
Make Stops Along the Way
With all the snack eating and drinking, it’s good to make stops for bathroom breaks, gas, or stretch your legs. Whether you’re eating deep dish pizza in Chicago, Crabcakes in Maryland, Lobster rolls in New England, or BBQ in Texas, eat a dish specific to that location. You can also consider starting a tradition of collecting souvenirs or taking a picture in front of a rest stop for memories. Growing up I used to collect beanie babies.
What tips do you have for taking a road trip with kids?
